A thrilling and heartbreaking depiction of a heroic battle within an unpopular war, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan also proves to be a brilliant technical achievement that places the viewer in the thick of an intense firefight.
The Vietnam War Movie is rich in the history of cinema. American filmmakers are the main contributor. Afterall, it was an incredibly unpopular war which they lost during the throes of a cultural revolution. Bitter filmmakers created movies incredibly resentful of the war, and in some cases the soldiers who fought in it. Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan is not a film that deals in bitterness and resentment, although Lord knows that is most certainly could. No, this latest movie from prolific Australian director Kriv Stenders (Red Dog) is set on righting a wrong and honouring the 1st Australian Task Force, namely 108 soldiers who took on 2,500 Vietcong in an intense firefight and won. It was one of Australia’s greatest achievements on the battlefield, and a wartime story that matches the likes of Gallipoli and Kokoda yet gets nowhere near the same recognition. Until now.
The film begins in 1966, South Vietnam, as the 1 ATF are bombarded by VC mortars. The next day tough as nails Major Henry Smith (Travis Fimmel) is given orders by Colonel Colin Townsend (Anthony Hayes) and Brigadier David Jackson (Richard Roxburgh) to lead his Delta Company in a search for the Vietcong forces responsible. Among his troops are loyal Sergeant Bob Buick (Luck Bracey) and rebellious Private Paul Large (Daniel Webber). Soon in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, D Company are met with an onslaught of artillery. Pinned to the ground in monsoon like conditions and running low of ammunition, Smith and his men must find a way and the will to fight back and survive.
Stenders masterfully presents the desperation and the danger these men faced, creating a literal Hell on Earth as bullets and mortar whiz across the screen at rapid fire pace. Filmed in Queensland, Australia, a fantastic crew including production designer Sam Hobbs (Little Monsters), editor Veronika Jenet (Snowtown), cinematographer Ben Nott (Predestination), and a cracking visual, special and sound effects team, bring this war to life with raw, visceral impact. Many war films have placed the viewer “in the shit”, yet Danger Close showcases an ability to do so with gumption and masterful artistry.
The films visual impact is nothing without its emotional undercurrent, and Danger Close packs a mighty wallop there as well. The theme of mateship resonates deep and strong. Stenders wisely leaves the politics of the Vietnam War aside and concentrates on the men on the battlefield: conscripts and volunteers; Australian and New Zealand; indigenous and immigrant; ANZAC one and all. As portrayed by the likes of Travis Fimmel, Luke Bracey and a scene stealing Daniel Webber (who along with The Dirt continues to have a breakout year), these men of different motivation and tact stood beside one another on a frontline of fire, shrapnel, blood and mist.
At the end of the film there are two statistics we are reminded of: 18 1ATF soldiers killed in action, and the 45 years of subsequent Australian governments that refused to acknowledge this event happened. Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan heartbreakingly and brilliantly reminds that it certainly did, and that these men and other veterans should be thanked for their service, their sacrifice, and their spirit.
